As we have noted, diversity can come in many different forms. And exposing students to these different types of diversity will help them understand the challenges their peers face. So what are some lesser known types of diversity? Well, we've compiled a list:

Marital and parental status

Sexual orientation

Height, weight, and appearance

Level of education

Family background

Economic class

Upbringing

Food choices

Working and parenting styles

Major life experiences

Travel experiences

Work history

Communication style

As you can see, the list here is quite long, but it barely scratches the surface. There are still many other qualities people have contribute to the diversity of your campus.

But with increased diversity, comes different challenges you’ll need to address. For instance, a student might want to join an intramural sports team but is not given the chance because of negative assumptions about their abilities due to their weight. This student might have the skills necessary to be a productive member of the team, but may not get the chance to prove themselves.

While you probably can't prevent all types of bullying and exclusion, investing in a diversity and inclusion plan is definitely a step in the right direction. Additionally, promoting diversity on your campus only benefits your students in the long run. The world is a very diverse place, and teaching your students about its benefits will set them up for success.

Conclusion

As we have stated before, embracing the diversity in your campus offers tremendous benefits to students. And training is a great way to help introduce many of these topics and issues so that you can invite faculty and students to lifelong learning.

However, training your students about diversity and inclusion issues isn’t always easy. Campus Answers is here to help. We offer a suite of diversity and inclusion training for your entire campus: faculty, administrators, staff and students. Use the form on the right to request your demo today.